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One-Stop-Shop for For Filipinos Living in CanadaWed, 21 Mar 2018 22:31:26 +0000en-US
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2I have created an Express Entry profile but I haven’t been selected yet? What’s Next?https://pinoy-canada.com/i-have-created-an-express-entry-profile-but-i-havent-been-selected-yet-whats/
https://pinoy-canada.com/i-have-created-an-express-entry-profile-but-i-havent-been-selected-yet-whats/#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 04:24:56 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16821“I have created an Express Entry profile but how come I haven’t been selected yet?” This has been frequently asked in the forums. Due to the frequency, we would like to shed some light to this issue by sharing some personal experiences. The Express Entry pool is the Canadian Government’s way to manage applications for …

]]>“I have created an Express Entry profile but how come I haven’t been selected yet?” This has been frequently asked in the forums. Due to the frequency, we would like to shed some light to this issue by sharing some personal experiences.

The Express Entry pool is the Canadian Government’s way to manage applications for permanent residence for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class. Each applicant will be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS gives each applicant a score based on 5 factors: Age, Education, Language, Work Experience at Connection in Canada.

Most of the factors are self-explanatory but for more information, you can visit the Express Entry page Included in the factors that can give you extra points is having a sibling in Canada who is either a Permanent Resident or a Citizen. Another factors that can give you extra points is Canadian Education and Canadian Work Experience. Unfortunately, most of aspiring applicants do not have any of those to get extra points.

*Note that you should aim for a CRS score of at least 450-500 to surely get an invitation to apply. Curious about what score you might get, visit this link

Based on the experiences shared within the group, after filling in all the basic or core factors, they would possibly get a score that is below 400. What else can help them get more points? Read on below.

1. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Nomination: PNP nomination gives you 600 points so you will surely get an invitation to apply. So how do you apply for PNP? You should have an active EE profile. It truly is just a waiting game. There are times that there will be openings but within 24 hours they can already be gone. If you want to apply, make sure you have all your requirements ready and always check their website for updates.

2. Job Offers – A Job Offer can give you 50-200 points. However, it is challenging to find a job while you’re in Canada so it will more challenging to find a job while you’re outside of Canada. Nonetheless, don’t lose hope because there is a chance that you can get a job offer. There’s no harm in trying.

3. For those who are married or in a common-law relationship, let your partner take the ECA and/or IELTS as well. There was a case where we were able to help a married couple get a higher CRS score through self-assessment by using the other person’s credentials. You can try to use your partner’s credentials and you might find out that you can get a higher CRS score if the other one is the principal applicant. Even if you are married, you and your partner can create separate EE profiles and try the self-assessment to compare.

4. Others suggest to retake the IELTS exam. However, this would require time and money on your end but you never know, you might get a higher EILTS score that can give you a higher CRS score.

5. Re-evaluate your ECA. Yes, we have encountered more than a couple of applicants who had their ECAs re-assessed by different institutions and they both got different results. You can check the forum for this topic so can better follow their case.

If you are considering other ways to get to Canada, you may want to consider the Study Route. This will be different from the Express Entry pool but this is another option for you to gain residency for Canada. This is not a common route to take but according to the CIC stats, more and more people have tried this route and gained their permanent residency. However, thsi would require a lot of your financial resources, and we are talking about Millions of pesos.

#RealTalk

I am an Advocate of Do-It-Yourself (DIY), #Jonats. If it is a straight-forward application process, I hihgly suggest that you do it yourself. Even my friends, which is a consultant would suggest that. The programs can be complicated and the process can be confusing but if you have time to spare, just read up on the programs and process on their website because everything you need to know is right there. Although, if you really do not have the time to do it on your own, here are two things I can advise you:

Before you enroll with an immigration agent or consultant, please do a self-evaluation first. If you are a member of the Facebook group, you can check the pinned posts because all the basic information you need to know is there.

The agent or consultant will usually tell you that you are indeed eligble for the Express Entry pool. What does that mean for you? Let me put it this way. The Express Entry pool is like a raffle promo that you have to join and you are eligible to put in your name. Being eligible is just putting in your name into the bowl. You are not guaranteed a spot to be invited to apply to any programs unless you rank high in the pool. There are other applicants who may or may not be higher in rank than you but you can try to work towards the higher ranking.

I truly hope this information helps. If you need more information from other people with experience, join our group and forum.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/i-have-created-an-express-entry-profile-but-i-havent-been-selected-yet-whats/feed/0No Relatives in Canada? The Morden Initiative Program is For You!https://pinoy-canada.com/no-relatives-canada-morden-initiative/
https://pinoy-canada.com/no-relatives-canada-morden-initiative/#respondFri, 09 Mar 2018 21:40:28 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16810Finding ways to move to Canada? If you can’t find a program that suits your case, there is another program that you might be interested in. You don’t even have to go through your ancestry registry to find any relative in Canada because you really don’t need to have one to qualify for the program. …

]]>Finding ways to move to Canada? If you can’t find a program that suits your case, there is another program that you might be interested in. You don’t even have to go through your ancestry registry to find any relative in Canada because you really don’t need to have one to qualify for the program. You read that right!

Not known to many, there is a program in Canada that is almost the exact opposite of all the other programs. Unlike other programs, this is not highly publicized. One probable reason for this could be that they only need a few candidates each year. This program is unique because one of the requirements is you should NOT have families, friends or any personal connections in Canada. Read on to know more.

Morden is a city located in the southern part of Manitoba, near the US border. Morden’s Community Driven Immigration Initiative is a support program for the applicants of Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program but are not able to qualify on their own because they cannot provide a support letter from a friend or family member. Through this initiative, these applicants can apply for a support letter. They choose approximately 50 families per year to be supported by our program which is about 5% of applications received.

In order to qualify you MUST:

Be between the ages of 21 and 45

Have no other connection to other parts of Canada (i.e. through friends, relatives or previous employment or education)

Have completed a post-secondary education or training program of at least one year duration, for which you received a diploma, certificate, or degree

At least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years

A General IELTS test with a minimum score of 5 in EACH band

Have the genuine intention and ability to economically establish and settle in Morden

Have settlement funds as required by MPNP ($10,000 for the Principal Applicant and $2,000 for each dependent). This is in addition to any funds needed for exploratory visits expenses.

Step 4: If you are chosen for MCDII, you will be given an invitation to come for an exploratory visit

Step 5: During your exploratory visit, you will research Morden and prepare for your interview with an MPNP officer at the end of your visit.

Step 6: If after the interview with the MPNP officer, he/she deems you a good fit for MCDII and MPNP, you will be given an invitation to apply for MPNP.

Step 7: You can apply online for MPNP. This is usually done after you return home from your exploratory visit.

Step 8: If, after you are reviewed by MPNP, it is determined that you meet all minimum qualifications of MPNP, you will be given a Nomination Letter from the MPNP.

Step 9: Using this Nomination Letter, you can add 600 points to your Federal Express Entry Profile, which should enable you to be pulled from express entry pool and submit a full application for expedited processing.

Step 10: Citizenship and Immigration Canada will do further review, including medicals and criminal record checks.

Step 11: Once you receive your Permanent Residence Visas, you can make arrangements for you and your family to move to Morden.

Your application for the initiative, as well as for MPNP are free. The costs to expect involve document fees, courier fees, air fare and accommodation for the Exploratory visit, and your air fare for your one-way ticket to Morden.

3. What is an Exploratory Visit?

An exploratory visit gives you a chance to determine whether Morden is the right location to settle your family in the future. It is mandatory for the MCDII skilled worker program unless you have already been interviewed by a MPNP officer and given an invitation to apply.

During the week of visit, you will prepare for an interview by gathering needed information and impressions. At the end of the visit, you will have an interview with an MPNP officer in Winnipeg.

4. How long does the whole process take?

Morden claims that the application process approximately takes 3-6 months. This may vary depending on many factors of your application.

5. Until when can I apply?

There is no deadline for applications. The program continues to accept applications.

Disclaimer: All the information in this article is solely based on the information posted on Canada.ca at the time being. To make sure you are update, regularly visit the official website and check for updates regarding the Canadian Citizenship application.

For queries and other clarifications, join the official Facebook group. We are not an immigration agency. We are Pinoy bloggers who simply aim to help our kababayans.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/no-relatives-canada-morden-initiative/feed/0Editor’s Pick: Becoming a Canadian Citizenhttps://pinoy-canada.com/editors-pick-becoming-canadian-citizen/
https://pinoy-canada.com/editors-pick-becoming-canadian-citizen/#respondTue, 06 Mar 2018 15:12:56 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16759One of the best things about moving to Canada is the chance we are given to become Canadian Citizens someday. Luckily for us, CIC made big changes last October 2017 which include physical presence, and language requirements which made the application easier and faster. FAQ: Should I give up my Filipino Citizenship? Read the Pros …

]]>One of the best things about moving to Canada is the chance we are given to become Canadian Citizens someday. Luckily for us, CIC made big changes last October 2017 which include physical presence, and language requirements which made the application easier and faster.

FAQ: Should I give up my Filipino Citizenship? Read the Pros and Cons here (link).

Want to know who can and how to apply for Canadian Citizenship? Read on below.

Eligibility

The existing qualifications for Canadian citizenship application for adults are as follows:

Be a permanent resident

18 years of age or older

Have filed income tax returns for at least 3 out of 5 years

Present in Canada for at least 3 out of 5 years

Days spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident,within 5 yearsof applying for citizenship, count as half days (up to 365 days) towards physical presence requirements.

Prove the proficiency in English or French if you are between 18-54 years old

FAQ: I don’t have IELTS or CELPIP. How can I prove my English proficiency? If your diploma is written in English, you can use that as a proof.

Pretty straight forward, eh? Let us move on to the documents.

Required Documents

To apply for Canadian Citizenship, you must fill out the Application for Canadian Citizenship. You also need to attach the copies of the following information, documents, forms, required fees, including postal codes for all Canadian and overseas addresses. If any of the following is/are missing, the application will be considered incomplete and the application will be sent back to you:

Proof of completion of a secondary (high school) or post-secondary (college/university) program conducted in French or English either in Canada or abroad (ie: diploma, transcript, or certificate indicating successful graduation or completion)

Photocopies of biographical pages of valid and expired passports or travel documents within 6 5 years or since you became a permanent resident

Photocopy of both sides of two (2) pieces of personal identification, one of which must have photo on it

Two (2) citizenship photos

Original police certificates or clearance from each country (other than Canada) where you were present for a total of 183 days or more in the four (4) years before the date of application. (For Filipinos, some may be required to apply for police certificate/NBI Clearance)

Copy of the result from the online physical presence calculator

Fees

Submit a copy of the Payment Receipt. The receipt showing total payment of application fees for individual or family members applying together. The payment can be made online as they don’t accept other payment methods.

I am currently applying for my Canadian Citizenship. The process is pretty simple. So far, I have submitted my papers and have gotten an acknowledgement for it. Here’s my timeline:

Nov 20, 2017 – Application submitted

Jan 18, 2018 – AOR received

April 26, 2018 – Received Notice of Schedule

May 10, 2018 – Examination Day. 20/20 (passed)

I’ll create a separate article where or what materials I used.

Are you looking forward to becoming a Canadian Citizen? Watch me live on Filipino Portal and we can do a review study for the Citizenship exam together. Let me know if you are in the same process as I am. I decided to write this and post it while I just started my application so I can share with you my experiences as I go through the whole process.

Disclaimer: All the information in this article is solely based on the information posted on Canada.ca at the time being. To make sure you are update, regularly visit the official website and check for updates regarding the Canadian Citizenship application.

If you have questions, we got answers! Join the Facebook group to get access to the lively discussions about everything you need to know as you migrate/settle in Canada. Everyone’s welcome tojoin!
Disclaimer: Pinoy-Canada.com is not in any way connected with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) nor are immigration consultants by profession or agency any information or news shared on this site are gathered from updates from various resources.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/editors-pick-becoming-canadian-citizen/feed/07 Steps on How to Do your OWN Taxes!https://pinoy-canada.com/7-steps-taxes/
https://pinoy-canada.com/7-steps-taxes/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 11:13:46 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16797Its tax season and Canadians are busy filing and looking at how to file their taxes. But did you know that, according to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Canadians can do their tax return online, on paper, or by phone? Online- CRA provides a list of certified desktop and online software products. Some software products are …

]]>Its tax season and Canadians are busy filing and looking at how to file their taxes. But did you know that, according to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Canadians can do their tax return online, on paper, or by phone?

Online- CRA provides a list of certified desktop and online software products. Some software products are free; you can check the list here. Another option is when you register for CRA My Account, you will have access to the secure Auto-fill my return service. If you use certain tax preparation software, it automatically fills in parts of your return, with information that the Canada Revenue Agency has on file for you.

On Paper – Starting February 26, 2018, you can also obtain a tax package at Canada Post, Service Canada, and most Caisse Populaire Desjardins locations. Limited quantities will be available in those locations this tax season only. Or you can order the 2017 tax package for free at this link.

By Phone – The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is launching a new service for the 2018 tax‑filing season to help eligible individuals with low or fixed income do their taxes. Those who are eligible will receive an invitation letter in the mail in mid-February 2018 and can use the File my Return services thru phone.

Now, here are the steps to filing an income tax and benefit return:

Step 1. Gather all the information and supporting documents needed. Some of the tax slips and receipts are the following:

T4 Slips

Employment Insurance Benefits (T4E)

Interest, Dividends, Mutual Funds (T3, T5)

Old Age Security and CPP Benefits (T4A-OAS, T4AP)

All other information slips

RRSP Contribution slips

Medical Expenses

Moving Expenses

Charitable Donations

All other receipts

Step 2. Select the software you will use if you want to file online. Or get the general income tax and benefit package for 2017 if you want to file on paper. But consider the time frame when paper-based filing.

NETFILE- certified tax preparation software offers you a convenient and secure way to do your taxes online. The Canada Revenue Agency has a list of certified software, some of which are free, which allows you to complete and send your return directly to the CRA.

Or you can get the 2017 tax package at Canada Post (limited quantities, while supplies last)

Step 3. Make sure your personal information is up to date. Important pieces of information are the following:

Marital Status

Number of Children

Banking Information

Address

Other personal information

Step 4. Report your Income

Declare the income you received in the year from all sources, both inside and outside Canada.

Step 5. Find out which deductions, tax credits, and benefits you can claim.

In order to get most of your tax refunds, you must know which benefits you can claim. It is all available on the CRA website, all you have to do is read and understand its content. But if you need help in knowing all those things, you can always hire a certified tax preparer. Meanwhile, here is the link for the tax benefits:

If you are filing online, at the end of your form you have the button to submit it using NETFILE-certified software or through an EFILE service provider, such as a tax preparer and it automatically sends to CRA.

You can also file a paper return by mailing it to your tax center after completing it. (Consider the snail mail timeframe).

Step 7. Keep your supporting documents

According to CRA…

You must keep all your tax documents for at least six years after the last tax year they relate to. If you filed your return late, your records must be kept for six years from the date the return was filed. If you claimed expenses, deductions or tax credits, make sure you keep all your receipts and related documents in case the Canada Revenue Agency asks to see them.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/7-steps-taxes/feed/0Finding Work as an Immigrant in Canada: The Job Hunthttps://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-job-hunt/
https://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-job-hunt/#respondMon, 12 Feb 2018 23:00:36 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16728*This post originally appeared in https://tropicstorockies.com/ Hello! We know that this post is a few months overdue and we apologize for that. It’s just that things have gotten really really busy and fast-paced the last few months and it was hard to find time to sit down and write. However, after finishing up some morning chores …

Hello! We know that this post is a few months overdue and we apologize for that. It’s just that things have gotten really really busy and fast-paced the last few months and it was hard to find time to sit down and write.

However, after finishing up some morning chores on this Saturday morning, we find ourselves with a bit of time to spare to hopefully finish this post for everyone.

In our last post, we gave you guys an introduction to finding work as an immigrant in Canada. Basically, we took a leap of faith and moved from PEI to British Columbia for work and in this post, we’ll talk more in detail about how we were able to successfully land jobs here in Canada.

Below are five important things that you should keep in mind when finding work as an immigrant in Canada.

Resume

If you do a quick search on the internet, you will probably find too many resume formats out there for Canada. It was honestly a bit overwhelming, so we just trusted the resume format provided to us by the good folks over at the Multicultural Helping House in their orientation session during the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS).

When writing your resume, the most important thing you should do is to make sure that you are tailoring it for the position you are applying for. As much as possible, use the exact same words that the job posting used. This is because there are some companies that use software to go through resumes and the software will pick up keywords that will probably already be on the job posting. Don’t just write one resume and use the same one for every job application. Take the time to make each resume unique to every job you are applying to. It will be better to send one good application every 10 minutes than three generic ones.

The main difference I’ve seen between Canadian and Philippine resumes is that the Canadian job market tries to make it a point that things like gender, age, ethnicity, and appearance do not factor in one’s application. Remember. You are not supposed to put those details on your resume and an employer is also not supposed to ask you these questions during the interview (more on interviews in a future post). Of course, it doesn’t mean that hiring discrimination doesn’t happen here… like anywhere in the world, it does happen. But, your skills and experiences will be more of the focus here and that your personal details should not influence a hiring decision.

Cover Letter

We could’ve lumped cover letter and resume together, but it is our belief that the cover letter actually plays a bigger role than the resume… especially when finding work as an immigrant in Canada. Again, we used the format that Multicultural Helping House sent after the PDOS, but like what we mentioned in the resume section, please remember that it is very, very important to make the cover letter your own. Relate it to the job and don’t be afraid to talk about what experiences you’ve had in your professional and personal life that make you a good candidate. Remember, the goal of sending out a cover letter and resume is to get the interview, not the job. Chances are, all the resumes will probably look alike and might even have the same qualifications and it will be up to your cover letter to win the heart of the hiring manager/employer.

Just think about it like one of those menus in fancy restaurants. Your resume is the name of the food, while your cover letter is the description of that food.

Okay, so I miss eating at Chili’s in Manila.

The name of the dish will catch your interest, but it’s the description of that dish that will convince you to order it.

Friends and Family

If you’re lucky enough to have family and/or friends with you in Canada, then don’t be afraid to ask. We understand that sometimes we want to show people that we are doing alright by ourselves, but in this case, asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. Chances are, these people were once immigrants too and that they do know how difficult finding work as an immigrant in Canada is. Just ask, you’ll never know. For us, N was able to land an interview through a family connection.

Apply, apply, apply

You will probably have quite the amount of time in your hands while looking for a job. So, if you stumble upon a job that you think you can do. Apply. If you see a job that you think you might be able to do. Apply. If there’s a job that you think you can do with a little bit of training. Apply. As long as you think that there’s even a small chance of you getting the job, apply. Apply. Apply.

At this point, there’s nothing to lose, right? Just make sure that you’re sending out quality resumes and cover letters.

Think Out of the Box

Now this one’s tricky. Basically, what we want to say here is to not just look at your professional and technical experiences and knowledge when looking for a job. Your personal skills and interests might also help you in the job hunt. Remember, Canada is very different from the Philippines and there are industries and opportunities here that do not exist in the Philippines (and vice-versa of course). A perfect example to use here in the context of the city of Vancouver would be the gaming (video, not casino) and the beer industry. These two industries are thriving in the city and you will find many small to medium-sized companies in that field. You could be an accountant with a passion for video games or beer, so use that to create a really good cover letter and with a technically sound resume, then you might just be what the company is looking for. This is exactly how V was able to get an interview and eventually a job offer.

Personal Submission

In this day and age of the internet, there may still be merit in personal appearances and submission of resumes. We’ve also noticed that some establishments here in Canada don’t post their openings online. Instead, they just have signs outside their shops showing job openings or just inviting people to apply. If you’re really targeting a specific company or job, then there’s nothing wrong with giving your application that personal touch and delivering it yourself.

The tips above might not be comprehensive, but there’s really a lot of material already online about this topic and we really didn’t want to just repeat what has already been said. If you’ve noticed, we didn’t really talk about one of the more…. (for lack of a better term) controversial topics when it comes to finding work as an immigrant in Canada… “Canadian Work Experience”. We’ve decided to create a separate post on this and it will be our next one (hopefully it won’t be two months again before that post shows up)

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-job-hunt/feed/05 Tips to Get a Job in Canadahttps://pinoy-canada.com/5-tips-get-job-canada2/
https://pinoy-canada.com/5-tips-get-job-canada2/#respondFri, 12 Jan 2018 01:28:08 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16549This is one dilemma of the newcomers once landed in Canada. Looking for a “good job” is tiring for some but easy for some. You might wonder why someone has a job instantly. But you know what; it is possible to have a decent job even without Canadian Experiences yet. Of course, it still depends …

]]>This is one dilemma of the newcomers once landed in Canada. Looking for a “good job” is tiring for some but easy for some. You might wonder why someone has a job instantly. But you know what; it is possible to have a decent job even without Canadian Experiences yet. Of course, it still depends on your skills, educational background, and work experiences. Here are some tips or scenarios in the job market that you might like to know or consider here in Canada:

Number 1. You must know How to Market Yourself.

Assuming you have the skills and work experiences back home and you want to continue it here in Canada, in order to land to your dream job you must learn how to advertise yourself. Factors like:

Skills – Do you have the skills for the job position? Or are you willing to be trained and learn something new but can be passionate about that new thing? Emphasize it in your Cover Letter or Resume.

Educational Background – Are you eligible for the educational attainment needed? Sometimes, most immigrants are overqualified for the job position, are you willing to talk less about your accomplishments on your resume? Tailor fit your resume accordingly.

Work experiences – It does not always have to be Canadian work experiences but most importantly your Skills and Expertise are well related to the job position you are applying for. Cue Words – “well-related skills.”

Network – Build and expand your network. Referral and Recommendation are one key to finding a vacant job position.

Number 2: Sometimes, it depends on the job hunting situation in your City/Town.

If you landed in a City or Town on where there is a scarcity of workers, that’s a high chance of finding a job. The competition is less, you don’t need referrals, they just need your skills or they can even build your skills.

Sample Scenario: There is a town in British Columbia on where the business owners are appealing to the Federal Government for them to hire Foreign Workers since they couldn’t find locals who will work for them because according to them everyone is already working.

On the other hand, if you are in a City on where the job hunting competitions are high, that will be a tremendous hard work on your part on how to market yourself. But there is always a “survival job” in Canada if you need to earn while waiting and preparing for your big break. And that’s a good thing right? There is always a backup here in Canada.

Number 3: A referral or recommendation from someone is needed most of the time.

Here in Canada, not all jobs are posted in the job bank, especially in the private companies. Sometimes there are positions that they are waiting for someone to vouch for them. Assuming you have all the skills and work experiences needed for that position, if you also have a recommendation there, it is a high probability of getting an interview. But of course, you still need to be superb for that interview part.

Sample Scenario: There is a new landed immigrant with Information Technology background and his relative which happens to be his sponsor heard that his friend’s company is looking for someone who can do the IT job position. The newcomer prepared his resume; submit it to his sponsor’s friend and then his sponsor’s friend submitted it to his boss. Upon reviewing his resume which seems his skills and work experiences (not Canadian) fits the position they call him for a job interview. The newcomer, of course, does lots of preparation for the Interview to ace it. After the proper process, he got the job.

Another scenario: She’s been in Canada for a year and still looking for that Career. She was aiming for this Call Center Company and then she found a friend who is working inside. She asks if she can refer her to any job vacancies’ in the company. Then her friend told her they could try since she knows they are always hiring a call center agent. So she submitted her resume online and put her friend’s name as the referral. The boss notices the resume and verifies the friend if she really knows the person. She vouches for her but the boss said: “Unfortunately we don’t hire today but we will keep this on file in the future”. Sad scenario but still the resume was noticed because of the referral but apparently for some reasons she didn’t get the interview, it happens, so move on.

Number 4. Canadian Government is always hiring.

There are plenty of job positions in the government that you do not have to be a Canadian Citizen to apply. As long as you are legal to work here in Canada, you can try applying to the government. Some positions do not require work experiences too. But the first step is to submit your resume to the job posting you like in the government. IF they “acknowledge” your resume based on your skills and background, you will get the next steps which are very challenging for some.

Here are some typical government hiring steps:

Submit Resume on their Job Postings

If they acknowledge your resume they will schedule you for Written Exams.

If you pass the written exam there will be more evaluation exams, like in the bus operator position they have the Road or driving skill Test.

If you pass the Screening Exams they will schedule you for a Panel Interview.

If you pass the Interview they will schedule you for Medical Exams.

If you pass the Medical Exams, they will call your References to know that you really are a good person.

Then you are hired! BUT you will undergo pieces of training, you will be like a student, studying the updates, trends, norms, and technology for the position. You will be screened thru exams if you are prepared and ready to be in the labor force. But there will always be an evaluation, just do your best.

Whew! That’s a lot! But no matter how hard it is, try not to quit, you are already there. Perks of being in the government are: the pay is good, job security and great benefits.

Number 5. Most Companies need your Flexible Schedule.

When randomly applying online, there will always be a question to put your schedule availability. The higher probability to notice your application is when you declare that you are available every day at any time. It will only matter in the Interview if you can commit. But the important thing is to get that Interview and ace it to get the job.

Canada is a land of opportunities. It is bestowed with economic prosperity and educational institutions that produce highly skilled professionals. The quality of life-based on excellent health care, clean air, and fresh water are all synchronized for a safe and secure environment. You might feel and think that looking for a job is harder than you thought, but compared to other countries (like the Philippines), it is guaranteed that all the hard works here really pays off.

Feel free to add more tips if you like. Sharing is a good thing to help one another, just leave it in the comment section on our FB page. Thanks!

If you have questions, we got answers! Join theFacebook groupto get access to the lively discussions about everything you need to know as you migrate/settle in Canada. Everyone’s welcome to join!

Disclaimer: Article and scenarios are based on the author’s first-hand experiences and observations.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/5-tips-get-job-canada2/feed/0Express Entry Step 1: Check your Eligibilityhttps://pinoy-canada.com/express-entry-step-1-check-eligibility/
Mon, 14 Aug 2017 01:53:53 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?post_type=articles&p=14984This is originally posted on https://krisntellblog.wixsite.com/ I’ve joined a lot of Facebook groups and forums related to immigrating to Canada. And always, a lot of people would say “I want to come to Canada. What is the first step?” Here’s my answer, Step 1: Check your Eligibility. Step 1A: Come to Canada Tool http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/ee-start.asp There are …

There are 3 immigration programs under the Express Entry, and you need to know if you fit into any of those 3.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Canadian Experience Class

To do this, you may use the official Come to Canada Tool on the CIC Website. Tip: Use only the official tool on the CIC website. If you come across a tool on a different website, chances are, they are immigration agents or consultants and they will bombard you with a lot of emails saying you are eligible and they will help you but you need to schedule a paid consultation to them.

You will answer a series of questions and based on your answer, the tool will determine if you are eligible or not. Are you eligible? Proceed to Step 1B.

Express Entry is a points-based system. Based on your personal factors (age, work experience, language ability, education, etc.), you will be assigned points. CIC will then conduct a draw and the minimum points which they will give out an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Most of the factors are constant like your age, work experience, marital status and other personal factors. The 2 factors that you can play around is your language ability and education.

Education – this needs to be officially assessed by accredited organizations. But for the purpose of calculating your score, choose the one which is one level below your educational attainment. For example, if you completed 4-year Bachelor Degree in the Philippines, choose Bachelor’s Degree (three or more year program). If you finished a Masters degree, I would choose the same Bachelor’s Degree (three or more year program). Why? Because your education will be assessed on its Canadian equivalency and more often than not, our education level is one notch below Canadian education. It’s always better not to assume too much.

Language Ability – you need to sit an official language test to be eligible for Canadian immigration (IELTS, CELPIP). But for the purpose of calculating your score, play with 2 possible language score. First, Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing as Band 7. Second, Listening as Band 8, Speaking, Reading and Writing as Band 7. You will see how much the change in score affects your overall CRS score. This way, you will know what score to target for your Language exam.

Step 1C: Determine your next steps

Are you Eligible and your CRS score is >400?

If you are found to be Eligible and your CRS score is >400, then you are good to go. Proceed to next step, which is to take your Language Exam and have your Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

Are you Eligible and your CRS score is <400?

If you are found to be Eligible and your CRS score is >400, then find a way to increase your score.

Language score of CLB9 (L8S7R7W7) may help to increase your score. Always target this score when you sit for your Language Exam.

Look for possible Provincial Nomination Program. If you are nominated by a province, you will gain 600 points, which guarantees you an ITA.

Arranged Employment. If you can find an employer who can give you an approved LMIA, you can get an additional 50 points.

Are you not Eligible?

If you are not Eligible, you may check other options for coming in to Canada – Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Student Visa or Live-in Caregiver Program. If you gain enough experience, you may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency.

Note: This is a series about Express Entry Program so make sure to follow our Page. Alternatively, join our FB Forum here.

]]>Bringing Your Money to Canada (Part II)https://pinoy-canada.com/bringing-money-canada-part-ii/
Mon, 08 May 2017 07:58:27 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?post_type=articles&p=12356This post originally appeared on: https://tropicstorockies.wordpress.com/ In our last post, we talked about the different ways you can bring your money into Canada as a first time immigrant. In that post, we mentioned that we will be going with a wire/telegraphic transfer between BPI here in the Philippines and their partner bank in Canada, Scotiabank. This …

In our last post, we talked about the different ways you can bring your money into Canada as a first time immigrant. In that post, we mentioned that we will be going with a wire/telegraphic transfer between BPI here in the Philippines and their partner bank in Canada, Scotiabank.

This will be done through the Scotiabank StartRight Program for newcomers to Canada. It is basically a bank account that you can open before landing in Canada which gives you some benefits including being able to do a one-time wire/transfer of up $50,000 to Canada without any fees.

In this post, we go through the really simple process for signing up for the Scotiabank StartRight Program.

Click “open your account online” and go through the next few pages which will ask you to select your region and country. At this point, be sure that you have your passport, Certificate of Permanent Residence and estimated date of arrival in Canada on hand. After that, just fill up the short forms and complete the application.

Once finished, you will be informed that they will be emailing you further instructions within 24 hours. We actually got our email within 20 minutes and it will be a message directing you to Scotiabank’s secure email service.

After registering, you will then be given the instructions on how to do the initial wire/transfer of up to $50,000 from the Philippines to your Scotiabank account in Canada.

Pretty simple right? It really is! But just take note of a few things.

A BPI account is not required to open a Scotiabank StartRight account and transfer money. However, since these two banks are partners, there will be inherent benefits like less fees for future transfers.

You are only allowed ONE transaction with your StartRight account before landing in Canada, so better make sure that you make that one transaction count.

Your StartRight account will technically be open, but it will be inactive until you physically go to a Scotiabank branch in Canada and prove your identity to them.

You will be able to use the transfer receipt that will be issued to you as your proof of funds when you first land in Canada.

We hope that the last two posts helped give you a clearer picture on how to initially transfer your money from the Philippines to Canada. As always, if there’s anything you want to ask, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as I can! We’ve also set up a Twitter account, so we can also talk there. We’re also on Instagram! We post lighter content there if you wanted to check in out.

]]>How To: Bringing Your Money to Canada (Part I)https://pinoy-canada.com/bringing-money-canada-part/
Fri, 05 May 2017 09:11:45 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?post_type=articles&p=12329This post originally appeared on: https://tropicstorockies.wordpress.com/ It’s now a little over a month before our big move to Canada and we have been busy taking care of the many different matters that need to be settled. You can read about our medical experience here and our PDOS experience here Right now, we’ve put our house on the …

It’s now a little over a month before our big move to Canada and we have been busy taking care of the many different matters that need to be settled. You can read about our medical experience here and our PDOS experience here

Right now, we’ve put our house on the market and have started making inventories of the items and clothes that will be making the trip with us. It’s also starting to take it’s toll emotionally as we’re slowly coming to grips with the fact that we’ll be leaving our family, friends and dogs (most especially our dogs!) behind. We get tearful moments just thinking about things like this.

Anyway, one of the more important things that’s been occupying our time is looking for ways to transfer our money to Canada. After doing some research, combing through forums and consulting with various people both in and out of Canada we have come up with three possible options for an immigrant to transfer their money from the Philippines to Canada. (If you’re reading this from a country other than the Philippines, then hello!! Nice of you to drop by! Kindly take note that the information below may not apply to where you live.) Okay. Let’s go on to the list.

Cash

With the ever fluctuating exchange rates between the Peso (PHP) and Canadian Dollar (CAD), we have been periodically purchasing CAD in order to have a pretty favorable rate when you average everything up.

Initially, our plan was to liquidate all our PHP to CAD and then physically bring them to PEI and deposit it when we open a bank account in PEI. However, after some thought, we realized that carrying a substantial amount of physical cash with us will be impractical and unsafe for us especially since we’ll have so many things with us and we’ll also be spending a couple of days touring Toronto before landing in PEI.

Bank Draft

A safer and more convenient option would be to obtain a bank draft, issued in CAD and just deposit this to the bank of your choice in Canada. Most big banks in the Philippines should be able to do this for you, but you will probably have to buy your CAD from them as well to be able to do this. Since our account is with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), we explored this avenue with them.

BPI has a tie-up with the Canadian bank, Scotiabank and this partnership would allow the BPI bank draft to have a significantly shortened clearing period of a week up to 10 days, with there being cases of drafts being cleared on the same day. You will just need to present the draft itself and the receipt when you open your Scotiabank account to have this done. Usually, bank drafts issued in your home country would clear after 30-40 days when deposited in a Canadian bank, so having a draft issued by a bank that has a tie-up with a Canadian bank has its advantages. Furthermore, with BPI, doing this does not require opening a Canadian dollar bank account as long as you have an existing Peso account, as they would just convert the Peso using their exchange rate then issue the bank draft to you in Canadian dollars. In our case, since we already had the CAD, we decided to just open a Canadian dollar account with BPI and eventually have our draft drawn from that account.

Do note however, that not all BPI branches can issue CAD bank drafts. Only branches that are classified as a “third currency branch” will be able to issue CAD bank drafts.

Wire / Telegraphic Transfer

After doing some more research, we stumbled upon Scotiabank’s StartRight Program for Newcomers. This program essentially allows you to open a Scotiabank account prior to landing in Canada and they will permit an initial wire transfer of up to CAD 50,000 from your home country without charging any fees. You’ll just have to open an account online through their website, but this will have to be done at least a month prior to landing because they would need sufficient time to arrange for your account opening and welcome kit which will be mailed to you after three weeks. And since BPI has a tie-up with Scotiabank, future wire transfer charges that are usually deducted by intermediary banks are waived. With this option, we can wire the majority of our funds from our BPI CAD account directly to our Scotiabank account and just bring with us a minimum amount of cash during our travel. Confirmation of the wire transfer from Scotiabank will serve as the proof of funds that will be showed to the CBSA officer during landing.

The third option, in our opinion, is most beneficial to us for the following reasons:

We already have Canadian dollars in cash, so it was more sensible to open a Canadian dollar account. If you don’t have the cash but have an existing Peso account with BPI, then going for the bank draft should work just as well. Just remember that a BPI bank draft should only be deposited to a Scotiabank account if you want a faster clearing period. If you don’t mind the wait, then it should be fine to open an account elsewhere.

Having a Canadian dollar account in BPI would allow us to take advantage of the Scotiabank StartRight Program’s initial wire transfer allotment, at the same time, take advantage of the BPI-Scotiabank waiver of fees. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.

We’re very clumsy people. As much as possible, we want to avoid carrying physical cash or cheque with us while traipsing around the Niagara Falls.

We suggest to inquire at your local bank regarding tie-ups with Canadian banks (most big banks in the country should have a Canadian partner), as this would really be helpful in getting a smooth and convenient transaction.

Next, we’ll be writing about our experience with opening a Scotiabank StartRight account online. As always, if there’s anything you want to ask, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as I can! We’ve also set up a Twitter account, so we can also talk there. We’re also on Instagram! We post lighter content there if you wanted to check in out.

]]>How to Get Started: I Want to Come to Canada But How?https://pinoy-canada.com/get-started-want-come-canada/
Mon, 24 Apr 2017 01:30:49 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?post_type=articles&p=12102This is the common question we encounter when we decide to do something new in life. How to get started? Honestly, I didn’t know how to start when I finally decided to apply for Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada back in 2014. At that time, the applications were all paper-based. The first thing that crossed …

]]>This is the common question we encounter when we decide to do something new in life. How to get started? Honestly, I didn’t know how to start when I finally decided to apply for Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada back in 2014. At that time, the applications were all paper-based. The first thing that crossed my mind was to schedule an appointment with a “professional” consultant. And so I did (At that time, I didn’t know that you don’t need one).

I. EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT (ECA)

Have your education credentials assessed by an accredited Canadian Organization. In this process, your educational attainment will be assessed and compared to its Canadian Education equivalent. As for me, I availed the services of World Education Services (WES) Canada. I don’t know if they are the best in the field but I jumped with the bandwagon as many availed WES with good testimonies. Here’s the link: https://www.wes.org/

Step-by-step process:

You need to create a username and password

Pay online (at least $150 for each college degree you earned) – rate was in 2014

Prepare application form (will be sent after payment)

You need to visit your alma mater or universities/colleges where you earned your degree or diploma because they are the ones who are only allowed to submit your original transcript of records (TOR) or mark sheets. The school will charge you for a courier fee (make sure they use commercial couriers like UPS,DHL or Fedex) and a new transcript of records (if needed). Unless, they don’t do this, you may ask them to seal the envelope instead and use the school’s name when mailing it using the courier
4.1 How to send a WES a sealed envelope? The latter should be official including an institutional seal and signature of the authorized representative. If seal is broken or envelope looks opened, the submitted documents may be rejected by WES.4.2 There are some schools that provide TOR specifying the purpose of the document such as “For Visa Abroad Purposes and For Immigration Purposes.” You can choose either of the two purposes. Anyway, it is obviously for money-making purposes of some schools and your document will be assessed regardless of the purpose.

Photocopy your College Diploma and send it via courier. Take note that for the TOR, it is your school who should submit it. Practicality-wise speaking, the diploma can also be sent by WES. However, the latter specifically stated that the applicant must be the one who will send it.

Wait for the assessment which usually lasts for 3-6 weeks (off-peak) or 4-12 weeks (peak). WES Canada will provide a notice of the result and you will be given an original assessment document. They will also directly send a softcopy to CIC (or in some cases, in the intended province).

For Immigration purposes, you need to take the “GENERAL” test. The “ACADEMIC” test is for student visas.

It is best to aim for the CLB 9 or 10. The higher the IELTS score, the higher the Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS). If you are aiming to be invited as a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), then you need the higher IELTS score to give you a great chance to be invited. However, if you will apply in provinces, it is safe to say to make sure to get at least an average of 7.0 but not lower than 6.5 in each of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing). In the first place, why would you go to Canada if you can’t even speak in English?

If you think you need a formal English training, then pay a professional service for it. If not, then there are tons of resources online and you better discipline yourself to practice and learn regularly. I used the available links in the IDP and British Council Websites. Afterwards, I tried using GOOGLE to get free tests.

I also use “Learn English with Emma” via Youtube. The instructor provided useful information on how to ace your IELTS test. Because IELTS is an Australian or British accent test, I frequently read and listened to BBC News and watched British Movies to be more comfortable with their use of the language. By the way, the Philippines is used to American accent so it is an adjustment for me. Anyway, it was somehow easier to practice as my country is the 3rd largest English speaking nation in the world. Our country is officially a bilingual country (English & Tagalog).

I believe almost everyone in this world can understand and speak in English. It is just a matter of practice to improve your skills. In my opinion, if you feel like you know the language well, you still need to practice. Not the English, but the test format. You need to familiarize yourself to the actual tests. Click this link: https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/test-format.

I suggest booking your test date as soon as possible. Why? Firstly, test dates can be sold like hotcakes. Many bookings are made even while you are reading this! Secondly, when you already have a definite IELTS Date, you will be pressured to practice or hone your skills.

Here’s the test score equivalency chart I got from CIC Website:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training – Test score equivalency chart

I suggest using the above link for first-time users. You will receive a personal reference code via email while it can also be linked to fasten your EE profile.

Otherwise, you may create your EE profile (MYCIC profile) by using this link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/account.asp. If you have an account with their sign-in partners (such as RBC, Scotia Bank, to name a few), you may use your existing ID to login. If none, register for a GC Key. Once registered, you will have an ID to log-in to your MyCIC Profile.

After creating an ID, you may start creating a new application. Use the personal reference code (if any) so the information you encoded during the eligibility test via website will be filled into the fields provided. Not all can be filled up so better complete all the necessary fields.

If you are eligible, an email instruction will be sent for you to create a job bank profile and require you to link to your MYCIC Profile. Once completed, the CIC website/system will generate your points based on their criteria (age, education language and work experience).

Now the question is, I am eligible but will I receive an invite with the CRS points that I have?

If you feel like you can achieve the past “average” minimum score, then confidently wait for the draws to come. If not, consider retaking IELTS (or if you’re married, tell your spouse to take IELTS and WES to increase your points). You may also want to further your studies too (if you’re not rushing to migrate). Grab more work experience but worry on your age (the younger the better).

Disclaimer: Filipino Portal in Canada is not in any way connected with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (formerly Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)), nor are immigration consultants by profession or agency any information or news shared on this site are gathered from updates from various resources. We endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct.